Having a wobble about an ECV on Tues. Any experience?

[twinky]

Due to LO being breech I've been advised to have an ECV next week. Since I'm now 36+4 I had to make a decision there and then or I would be scheduled for an elective CS. I'm frankly petrified of both options. Have you had this recently and how did you find it?

[pigletmaker]

ECV isn't on the acronym list - is it manipulation to move the baby into head first position?

I've heard it can be a little uncomfortable, but they wouldn't do it if it wasn't safe and a viable option.

Hope it works, and hope the position stays!

[Tangle]

Pigletmaker - you're right ECV = External Cephalic Version, and is trying to turn a breech baby.

Twinky - have to confess I wimped out of both as well, and took the 3rd option of finding a very experienced independent midwife to help me birth my breech baby at home earlier this year. I know some of the hospital midwives were also open to the suggestion of breech birth, but I didn't want to have to try and keep the Dr's out of the delivery room while in labour!

When we were discussing ECV, though, the IM made a point of saying that you can ask them to stop at any time.

Have you seen the information on www.spinningbabies.com/? There's a quite a few suggestions on how you can help baby to turn without outside assistance. Might be worth a shot. You could also try visiting a chiropracter: some babies are breech because the mother is holding her pelvis asymmetrically - remove the asymmetry and the baby can get itself head down.

Fingers crossed for you getting a good experience

[Denny185]

Hi my first baby was breech and i had ECV, unfortunately it didnt work (only 50% do apparently and even then some of them pop back round again!). The actual proceedure is not bad, they feed some drugs via a drip in your arm to make the uterus relax (bit wierd coz also increases heart rate so you feel like youve run a marathon lying in bed, they then literally take hold of the baby - from the outside - push one way on the bottom and the other way on the top, its a tad uncomfortable but more wierd than anything.

If you do go on to have a section, they really are v civilized, because they are planned there is no rush and they talk you through every step of the way. My main concern was the epidural so they booked me in to see the cons anaesthatist (cant spell!) beforehand to help put mind at ease. The main thing to say with the recovery is the longer you leave it to stand up straight the harder it becomes.

Sorry that was a bit long winded - all the best for the next few weeks

[twinky]

Thankyou ladies. I feel a bit better about it now that I know I can ask them to stop if it's too much. My DH has promised to make them!

[NAB3]

I had this with number 3, who is now 2, I booked an independant midwife to come over and she turned him without telling me. It was very umcomfortable and I felt sick for the rest of the day. Would never have it again if I was to miraculously fall pregnant. The hospital was furious with her.

[Annie75]

Hi - I've had two! Neither worked, I'm afraid, but I do think it's worth giving it a go. I ended up with a c-section in August, which was emergency (but v calm) as I took the decision to try and give birth to my breech baby naturally and she simply didn't progress beyond 8cm dilation. That all felt right for me though.

ECV can be uncomfortable, but ask for gas and air and make sure someone comes with you. It's fine, and experiences vary. Def preferable to deciding on a c-section at this stage.

Here's my detailed posting from the first ecv: www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=49&threadid=362716#7396909

Good luck and hope the baby turns. I know how stressful it can feel being breech at this stage.

[twinky]

Hi NAB3 and Annie,
Thankyou both for your responses. I feel a bit more reassured now knowing that it doesn't have to be agonising. To be honest I doubt it will work anyway as my midwife seemed very doubtful, and I'm prepared mentally to have a CS. But it's good to have an idea of what to expect so thanks to everyone for their time.

[RoyKinnear]

i was threatened with this and like you was nervous.....i crawled down the stairs forward a few times and the baby turned..good luck

[jane0601]

I had an ECV with first baby (and spent weeks crawling around on all fours as well...) but found the ECV felt really unnatural - having the doctors pushing my bump. My baby didn't move a millimetre - and they were very good at asking me if i wanted them to try again. In the end i had a planned c-section which was not traumatic at all. However, if my second baby is breech and remains breech to the end, i will not worry and just go for a c-section